At the age of twenty-three the Infanta Catherine of Braganza daughter of Luisa of Gusmão and king João IV of Portugal left behind all that was dear to her to become Queen of England A pawn in a larger political scheme certainly but those who knew Catherine perceived her eagerness for this marriage to Charles II a prince charming who she loved passionately even before having met him She fought bravely for king and country in a court so different f...